Hand bag



Nov. 4 9 1,513,909

-W. N. HUNTER HAND BAG Filed Deg. 1'2" 1923 5 sheets' sheet 1 ATTOF/VZVJ,

Nov. 4 1924. 1,513,909

w. N. HU NTER HAND BAG Filed Dec. 12 19?3 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 A 7mm;

Nov. 4 1924.

W. N. HU NTER HAND BAG Filed Dec. 12, 1973 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 M 7 m V w MM 91. M

ATTO/P/VZKS.

Patented Nov. 4, 1924.

'PTENT OFICE.

WILLIAM 1\T. HUNTER, OF BLANCHESTER, OI-IIO.

HAND BAG.

Application filed December 12, 1923.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WVILLIAM N. HUNTER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Blanchester, in the county of Clinton and State. of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hand Bags, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification.

My invention relates to the construction of hand bags such as Gladstone bags, in which when the contents are removed the bag can be folded up into a portfolio for the reception of documents, papers, drawings and the like. The construction is such that for traveling from place to place the papers, drawings and the like can be carried fiat in the bottom of the. bag with the-other contents on top, and when the destination is reached, the contents of the bag can be removedv and the bag converted into a convenient portfolio for the papers, and thus it will not benecessary for the traveler to carry both a bag and a portfolio.

The invention consists of that certain novel construction and arrangement ofparts to be hereinafter particularly pointed out and claimed, in which the sides and ends of the bag are reinforced with foldable stiff flaps on the inside. These flaps can be erected to form with the stiff rectangular bottom the lower portion of the Gladstone bag. The ends and sides for the upper section are flexible. and with the stiff ends and sides folded along the bottom, the bottom can then be folded and secured along one of the sides, so that the bag can be contracted into a portfolio.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the hand bag closed, taken from one side.

Figure 2 is a similar view taken from the other side.

Figure 3 is a perspective cross sectional view taken on the line 3-8 of Figure 1.

Figures 4 and 5 are central longitudinal sections looking in opposite directions as indicated by the arrows 4 and 5 in Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the bag in process of folding into a portfolio.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the Serial No. 680,242.

portfolio taken from one side with the closing flap open.

Figure 8 is a similar view with the portfolio closed.

Figure 9 is a cross section of the portfolio as shown in Figure 7.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the rods for hinging together the end folds.

Figure 11 is a detail of the hinge parts of same. I l

The bag is constructed of leather, cloth, canvas, or other suitable material, and of and desired size, but preferably with a rectangular bottom of a size to hold fiat any documents, drawings or the like, that it may be desired to carry. This rectangular bottom 1 is made of stiff board of any suitable material covered with leather or other finishing material, and suitably lined and preferably provided with l'mobs 2-, 2 upon which to rest the bag. The sides 3, 3, and ends 4, 4, of the bag are made of leather or other material to conform to the bottom and extend upward to the usual height of such bags, with the ends 4, 4, provided with a central vertical fold line 5 and diagonal fold lines 6, 6, for the lower half and diagonal fold lines 7, 7 for the upper half. There is also a horizontal fold line 8 between the upper and lower half of the bag. As thus far described, the bag is a rectangular container open at the top with a stiff bottom, flat sides and ends which will fold with bellows folds to allow the sides.

to be brought together at the top. It will be understood that the inside is properly lined with leather, canvas or other material.

On the inside of the bag is hinged along one side of the bottom, a stiff rectangular flap 9, which extends the full length of the bag and is of the height of the lower half thereof, and a pair of similar stiff flaps 10 and 12 of the same height, and extending across the ends are hinged to the ends of the bottom. The opposite side of the lower sec tion is also reinforced with stiff cardboard 13, or other suitable material.

To form the stiff lower half of the Gladstone bag, the side 9 is raised and locked along the side by the fasteners 14, and the end flaps 10 and 12 are also erected and caught behind the side flap 9, .and a rectangular portion is obtained for the lower half of the bag with stiff side and end walls. The upper side edges can then be brought together and the upper portion of the ends will fold inward in triangular folds on the fold lines 5, 7, 7, and 8.

To close and lock the bag one of the sides is extended to form an over fold flap 15, and this flap is provided with any usual form of catch 16, to engage a corresponding lock 17 near the upper edge of the other side. There are a pair of these locks, one near each end. A handle 18 is also provided for the bag. For properly stiffening the flexible material of the sides of the bag, I prefer to use stiffen ing strips 19, sewed between the lining and the leather, and the inside of the bag in addition to being lined throughout will be provided with such number of open side pockets 21 as may be convenient. The upper edges of the ends of the bag are also reinforced with metal rods 20, hinged together at the middle fold. The ends of these rods have right angled downward extensions 30, which are seated in pockets at the corners and the inner ends of the rods are flattened out to form hinge member 31 formed with shoulders to serve as stops to permit the rods to foldinwardly only. A rivet 32 with spring washers 33, is employed to hinge the members together and the flattened surfaces of the hinge members when the bag is open are in a diagonal plane from the horizontal, so that when the bag is opened it will be locked open, until the hinged members are pushed downwardlyas well as inwardly.

WVhendesired a pair of straps 23, 23, can also be employed held at various points around the bag by fasteners 24 and provided with buckles 25.

In order to convert the bag into a portfolio, the contentsare removed, the stiff end flaps 10, 12 and the side flap 9 are folded along the bottom, and the sides and ends foldeddown into the position shown in Figure 6. The bottom 1 isthen folded up along the middle line of fold 26 and secured along the side by flaps 27, 27, provided with fasteners to engage corresponding fastening members on the bottom, and a portfolio will be provided closed and locked by the over fold 15 of the bag. I have also shown a flap 28 which may cover a name plate orcard of the owner and which is normally held shut by a fastener 29.

In illustrating and describing the details, I do not wish to be understood as limiting my invention to these details, as it is evident that very many modifications can be made in the details without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Let ters Patent, is

1. In a hand bag of the kind specified, a body portion of flexible material for the sides and ends, with a stiff and inflexible bottom portion, and foldable means for stiffening the ends of the lower section of the bag, whereby upon folding of the stiffening means, the bottom can be folded along one side to form a portfolio.

2. In a hand bag of the kind specified, a body portion of flexible material for the sides and ends, with a stiff and inflexible bottom portion, and stiff flaps for the ends to form a stiff lower section for the bag, the stiff end flaps adapted to be folded along the bottom to permit the bottom to be folded along one side toform a portfolio.

3. In a hand bag of the kind specified,

a body portion of flexible material for the sides and ends, with a stiff and inflexible bottom portion, and stiff flaps for the ends to form a stiff lower section for the bag,

the upper portion of the ends folded in bellows folds, and the sides brought together at the top to close the bag, and the stiff end flaps adapted to be folded along the bottom to permit the bottom to be folded along one side to form a portfolio.v

4. In a hand bag of the kind specified, a body portion of flexible material for the sides and ends, a stiff and inflexible bottom portion and stiff flaps for the ends to form a stiff lower section for the bag, the

stiff end flaps adapted to be folded along the bottom to permit the bottom tobe folded along one side to form a portfolio, with means for retaining the bottom in folded position. I

5. In a hand bag of the, kind specified, a body portion of flexible material for the sides and ends with a stiff and inflexible bottom portion, stiff flapsfor one side and v each end hinged to be erected to form a stiff lower section for the bag, the stiff side and end flaps adapted to be folded alon the bot tom to permit the bottom to be fol ed along;

one side to form a portfolio. 1 a i 6. Ina hand bag of the kind specified, a body portion of flexiblematerial for the sides and ends, a stiff and inflexible bottom portion, and stiff flaps 'for' the ends to form a stiff lower section for thebag,

the upper portion of the ends folded in bellows folds, and the sides vbrough ttogether at the top to "close the bag, andthe stiff end flaps adapted "to be folded along the bottom to permit the bottom to befolded along one side to form a portfolio, one side being extended at the to to fold over the I(gpposite side to more e ect-ively'close the 7. In a hand bag of the kind specified, a body portion of flexible material for the sides and ends with a stiff and inflexible bottom portion, stiff flaps for one side and each end hinged to'be'erected to form a stiff lower section for the bag, the stiff side and end flaps adapted to be folded along the top folding flap.

8. In a hand bag of the kind specified, a body portion of flexible material for the sides and ends With a stiff and inflexible bottom portion, stiff flaps for one side and 10 each end hinged to be erected to form a stiff lower section for the bag, the stiff side and end flaps adapted to be folded along the bottom to permit the bottom to be folded along one side to form a portfolio, the top folding flap cut away at the ends, and tabs With fasteners secured at the upper edge of the side to secure the stiff bottom, When folded thereto.

WILLIAM N. HUNTER. 

